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Служители на Здрача
На един обикновен паркинг в южна Калифорния особена на вид старица спира Кристин Скавело и шестгодишния й син. Внезапно животът на Кристин се превръща в ад, а собственият й любим син става прицел на религиозните фанатици от сектата на Здрача. Те го жигосват като Антихрист, искат да го унищожат и� са навсякъде.
480 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1984
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7,387 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Nichols
28books190followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the ŷ database with this name.
Leigh Nichols is a pen name of Dean R. Koontz / Dean Koontz.
Leigh Nichols is a pen name of Dean R. Koontz / Dean Koontz.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 553 reviews
April 27, 2019
Koontz spins a good theological yarn.
January 7, 2022
Christine Scavello and her six year old son, Joey, run into an old woman in the parking lot. The woman becomes hostile claiming to "know who you are" and "what you are" to the frightened child. Christine buckles her kid up and zooms away. However the old lady is the leader of a cult called, "Servants of Twilight" and they are convinced the little boy is the antichrist. The religious fanatics are not going to be denied their pound of flesh. They will not stop until the child is dead. I read this book many moons ago as a teenager. It was one of the first books I read by Koontz. I quickly became a fan.
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June 19, 2019
-Entretenimiento trivial.-
Género. Narrativa fantástica (o no�).
Lo que nos cuenta. En Los servidores del crepúsculo (publicación original: The Servants of Twilight, 1984) conoceremos a Christine, madre soltera, y su hijo Joey, un niño espabilado para sus seis años. Cuando una anciana se aproxima a ellos manifestando peligrosas incoherencias y una sorprendente clarividencia, comenzará una persecución para terminar con la vida del joven que, para la Iglesia del Crepúsculo, es el Anticristo al que hay que matar para proteger a la humanidad. Originalmente publicada con el seudónimo de Leigh Nichols.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
Género. Narrativa fantástica (o no�).
Lo que nos cuenta. En Los servidores del crepúsculo (publicación original: The Servants of Twilight, 1984) conoceremos a Christine, madre soltera, y su hijo Joey, un niño espabilado para sus seis años. Cuando una anciana se aproxima a ellos manifestando peligrosas incoherencias y una sorprendente clarividencia, comenzará una persecución para terminar con la vida del joven que, para la Iglesia del Crepúsculo, es el Anticristo al que hay que matar para proteger a la humanidad. Originalmente publicada con el seudónimo de Leigh Nichols.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
March 31, 2023
This novel was originally published in 1984 with the title Twilight under Koontz's prolific pseudonym Leigh Nichols with a very Gothic cover. (Gothic as in the literary genre, not with the cultural overtones with which the word later became associated.) The story follows Christine Scavello and her son Joey, who the members of a cult led by Grace Spivey suspect of being the reborn anti-Christ. Christine enlists the help of P.I. Charlie Harrison for protection after an attack ends up with their family dog's decapitation. (Yep, in a Koontz book! But they soon get a replacement named Chewbacca.) There's a lot of chasing and fighting and a bombing and a blizzard and Christine and Charlie begin an intense romantic affair. The cult tracks them to a remote location and then there's some weirdness in a cavern and here we stop, spoiler-free. There's no overt supernatural content, but Koontz (or Nichols, depending on which edition you have) slyly leaves the reader wondering if maybe there isn't something just a little off with Joey. It's a very well-paced and intriguing suspense story, lots of fun.
November 3, 2015
Silly Me didn't quite realise when I borrowed this audio book from the library that it was originally written in 1984. It's almost as old as I am! I was wondering why nobody was using mobile phones and why the police and investigators were not exactly using the most advanced technology, when it suddenly hit me. DUR MEL! Anyway it was still a really great book. I was expecting more a horror story, instead it was an action packed suspenseful thriller!
Single mum Christine is living a quiet existence with her son Joey, until one day they are confronted by a ragged old woman in the car park of a shopping centre. Appearing harmless at first, the old woman makes small talk with the boy, and then things suddenly change when the hag becomes aggressive and announces that Joey has "GOT TO DIE!". Unfortunately for Christine and Joey, this batty old woman is the head of a cult who now believes that her son is the Antichrist and will bring about the end of the world. And most of the members of the cult are shady characters with lots of murderous skills and are all absolutely OBSESSED with killing him. Suddenly they find themselves running for their lives. Like a cat and mouse! Christine enlists the help of Charlie, a private detective, as they attempt to escape death. And Joey couldn't possibly be the Antichrist... Could he??
Talk about ACTION PACKED!!! After the scene is set, BOOM!! Its action scene after action scene, dodging bullets, running for their lives. Never a dull moment! Fabulous!
Loved the characters. Christine, Charlie and Joey were all written really well and I loved all the dialogue between them, especially 6 year old Joey. I even loved the dogs and the bad guys! Especially Grace.
I wasn't expecting there to be much romance in this book so I LOVED that aspect of it, and one of the scenes was quite raunchy. I like that he managed to squeeze the romance in amongst all the thrills, and I always find the best romances (in books obviously, I doubt in real life) are the ones that spawn from a bit of action and suspense.
I probably would have rated this book higher if it wasn't for the ending. I was really disappointed with the ending. I can't really go into it more or I will spoil the story. It also dragged on a bit in the middle. I think the audio version made it a bit more exciting than if I had read it.
However, it was still a fabulous book to listen to! I loved the 80's feel (once I realised what it was) and the action and suspense was all very exciting!
The audio version: Ok the ladies voice annoyed me a lot at first. A little too animated at times, and I really didn't like her portrayal of the male characters. However, as for all other audio books, I soon became used to her voice and didn't have a problem with it by the end.
Would I recommend it?
Absolutely! I think most thriller fans will enjoy this one!
For more reviews visit my blog
Follow me on twitter
Single mum Christine is living a quiet existence with her son Joey, until one day they are confronted by a ragged old woman in the car park of a shopping centre. Appearing harmless at first, the old woman makes small talk with the boy, and then things suddenly change when the hag becomes aggressive and announces that Joey has "GOT TO DIE!". Unfortunately for Christine and Joey, this batty old woman is the head of a cult who now believes that her son is the Antichrist and will bring about the end of the world. And most of the members of the cult are shady characters with lots of murderous skills and are all absolutely OBSESSED with killing him. Suddenly they find themselves running for their lives. Like a cat and mouse! Christine enlists the help of Charlie, a private detective, as they attempt to escape death. And Joey couldn't possibly be the Antichrist... Could he??
Talk about ACTION PACKED!!! After the scene is set, BOOM!! Its action scene after action scene, dodging bullets, running for their lives. Never a dull moment! Fabulous!
Loved the characters. Christine, Charlie and Joey were all written really well and I loved all the dialogue between them, especially 6 year old Joey. I even loved the dogs and the bad guys! Especially Grace.
I wasn't expecting there to be much romance in this book so I LOVED that aspect of it, and one of the scenes was quite raunchy. I like that he managed to squeeze the romance in amongst all the thrills, and I always find the best romances (in books obviously, I doubt in real life) are the ones that spawn from a bit of action and suspense.
I probably would have rated this book higher if it wasn't for the ending. I was really disappointed with the ending. I can't really go into it more or I will spoil the story. It also dragged on a bit in the middle. I think the audio version made it a bit more exciting than if I had read it.
However, it was still a fabulous book to listen to! I loved the 80's feel (once I realised what it was) and the action and suspense was all very exciting!
The audio version: Ok the ladies voice annoyed me a lot at first. A little too animated at times, and I really didn't like her portrayal of the male characters. However, as for all other audio books, I soon became used to her voice and didn't have a problem with it by the end.
Would I recommend it?
Absolutely! I think most thriller fans will enjoy this one!
For more reviews visit my blog
Follow me on twitter
April 25, 2022
Was wanting to dwell into a book by Dean Koontz and found this one. Not my favorite but definitely an entertaining read that was just enough creepy to keep it interesting
September 5, 2019
What time is it you ask? Time for another Koontz re-read buddy-read with Banana Fanna Fo Fedward! Whoop whoop!
October 16, 2023
5/19 Update -- After re-read, changed to five star. The story isn't lightning fast but it doesn't need to be, I enjoyed it more with a re-read and that ending - all well done. Love how the first and last lines of the book tie in together.
Original Review:
As a bit of a back story, I grew up watching this movie. I mainly watched VHS tapes as a teenager in my room as I didn't have cable in there, and always loved this movie, which was a made for TV special. So of course I have wanted to read the book for years, thinking the story was awesome, and if the movie was good, the book is usually even better right?
Well, the book was basically just as good as the movie in this case. The first half of the book seriously follows the movie, down to dialogue and step by step action. There was little difference for quite awhile. The second half was the big changer and many things were altered. It works well in both versions, I think.
I always like anti-christ children plots. Of course everyone will instantly think of The Omen. Maybe because there's only so much you can do with this kind of story, but I haven't encountered that many anti-christ children stories. This one was intriguing because the leader of a cult has targeted a small child and claims he is the antichrist, and his mother is frantically trying to save her child and hide him from the crazy lady's followers by hiring a private investigator.
There's tons of tension during many of these chases, and you never know who can be trusted as being a secret member of the cult. There's much violence as well, especially with the poor dog, and slowly learning the back story is about as fascinating as the story going on.
Koontz sometimes skips points of views too much for my tastes; here, he has a limited character circle and focuses on the same main people. They are convincing, likeable, and it was easy to latch on to their situation as realistic and life threatening. Kudos for that. To me this is one of his better books.
The biggest flaw was the story started dragging on a little at the end and lost a little steam. Still, it's effective and this chilling book will stay with you for awhile.
Original Review:
As a bit of a back story, I grew up watching this movie. I mainly watched VHS tapes as a teenager in my room as I didn't have cable in there, and always loved this movie, which was a made for TV special. So of course I have wanted to read the book for years, thinking the story was awesome, and if the movie was good, the book is usually even better right?
Well, the book was basically just as good as the movie in this case. The first half of the book seriously follows the movie, down to dialogue and step by step action. There was little difference for quite awhile. The second half was the big changer and many things were altered. It works well in both versions, I think.
I always like anti-christ children plots. Of course everyone will instantly think of The Omen. Maybe because there's only so much you can do with this kind of story, but I haven't encountered that many anti-christ children stories. This one was intriguing because the leader of a cult has targeted a small child and claims he is the antichrist, and his mother is frantically trying to save her child and hide him from the crazy lady's followers by hiring a private investigator.
There's tons of tension during many of these chases, and you never know who can be trusted as being a secret member of the cult. There's much violence as well, especially with the poor dog, and slowly learning the back story is about as fascinating as the story going on.
Koontz sometimes skips points of views too much for my tastes; here, he has a limited character circle and focuses on the same main people. They are convincing, likeable, and it was easy to latch on to their situation as realistic and life threatening. Kudos for that. To me this is one of his better books.
The biggest flaw was the story started dragging on a little at the end and lost a little steam. Still, it's effective and this chilling book will stay with you for awhile.
September 8, 2023
An early Dean Koontz novel jam backed with suspense and action.
6 year old Joey and his mother have a chance meeting at the shopping mall carpark with an insane woman Grace a leader of a religious cult. Grace believes Joey is the antichrist in human form and must be killed to prevent a thousand year reign of Satan on earth. The police are no help to them so they seek the assistance of a private investigator to assist them in stopping Grace and her followers from enacting their plans.
This story is jam packed full of action. Shootouts, murders, stalking, houses being blown up and it all leads to the enivatible conclusion in a blizzard at a remote cabin in the middle of nowhere.
This is an easy read and plot too follow. No real supernatural elements in this as most of Koontz books have. It's a straight cult story with memorable characters and the most underpaid PI in history for what he has to endure. Whilst its 500 pages its never dull for a second with tension and heart stopping action from scene to scene.
Great fun well worth the read.
6 year old Joey and his mother have a chance meeting at the shopping mall carpark with an insane woman Grace a leader of a religious cult. Grace believes Joey is the antichrist in human form and must be killed to prevent a thousand year reign of Satan on earth. The police are no help to them so they seek the assistance of a private investigator to assist them in stopping Grace and her followers from enacting their plans.
This story is jam packed full of action. Shootouts, murders, stalking, houses being blown up and it all leads to the enivatible conclusion in a blizzard at a remote cabin in the middle of nowhere.
This is an easy read and plot too follow. No real supernatural elements in this as most of Koontz books have. It's a straight cult story with memorable characters and the most underpaid PI in history for what he has to endure. Whilst its 500 pages its never dull for a second with tension and heart stopping action from scene to scene.
Great fun well worth the read.
Want to read
October 2, 2017This hardcover is numbered 233 of 450 copies produced an is signed by author Dean Koontz and illustrator Phil Parks on limitation page.
February 7, 2019
My second read shows Charlie Harrison PI & Christine Scavello(mom) have a larger romantic attraction to each other discussing their own past childhood hardships than the first read. Charlie is more of Joey's "Magnum PI" hero.
Mother Grace Spivey has "paranoid schizophrenia" that Joey is the coming of the world's "Twilight, Doomsday and the Antichrist (followers of Jesus)".
The bible will ruled, mankind suffering begin, battle of Armageddom will transpire (save end of the world) & God will destroy Satan forever.?????
Joey must be killed - to stop the Antichrist evil that will rule the earth for 1000s of years - it's Devils & Demons.
At the end, while in the cave would Grace Spivey's shots kill Joey or did they scare the bats as expected?
Original 2015 Summary
Mother Grace Spivey, "The Witch", is a religious fanatic chasing/hunting Joey Scavello (6) believing Joey is "AntiChrist" to be killed. Private Investigator, Charlie Harrison, protects Christine Scavello(mom - 30) and Joey from "The Witch" (and her believers, e.g. Kyle Barlowe a major character). The book is enjoyable with a simple chase and escape plot with Christine and Charlie growing together with love. The ending has a twist of "bats" not expected.
August 11, 2022
4.4/5 - toll! Absolute Lese Empfehlung für (Mystery) Thrillerfans. Absoluter pageturner. Fesselnd und Spannend von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite.
Trigger Warnung. Dies ist ein Thriller. Man sollte mit Gewalt gegen Mensch und Tier rechnen.
Das Buch ist ein Kind seiner Zeit (80er), bitte nicht jedes Wort in die Waagschale legen. #Autismus
Trigger Warnung. Dies ist ein Thriller. Man sollte mit Gewalt gegen Mensch und Tier rechnen.
Das Buch ist ein Kind seiner Zeit (80er), bitte nicht jedes Wort in die Waagschale legen. #Autismus
February 8, 2023
Excellent story ... would've been 5 stars but much too wordy. Could have easily trimmed 125-150 pages and would have been a more enjoyable read.
June 10, 2014
I have to admit that I thought this was a complete flop. I LOVED this book up until the last chapters. It completely fell through. These people spend the entire book running running running from the crazed cult people who are trying to kill a little boy because the cult leader, mother grace, thinks he is the anti Christ. They burn down their houses, kill their dog, and all the people around them as well.
Finally once they think they have found a safe place atop a mountain in the freezing cold amongst blizzards, they still somehow find them and end up shooting their body guard they hired when the police wouldn't help them that has also fallen in love with the boys mother. He doesn't die though, and as they're running through the woods and wilderness in said blizzards the bad guys are some how always close by. They just about die and freeze to death before they make it some caves, the boys mom spends a ridiculous amount of time looking through the caves and even takes notice of the rock formations and Indian art work, all while her son, new dog and boyfriend set outside freezing to death. They finally makes camp inside a perfect enough cave. After a light snooze the crazy people find them yet again and there's a small battle in which the mom is also shot in the leg and can do nothing from almost have her kid killed.
The giant brute at the end seemingly kills their new dog as well by bashing him on the head with his gun and it looks like no matter what they will all die in this cave, but ol Kyle the ugly giant finally finds his heart and decides that he's through with killing. Once mother Grace realizes she will have too act alone she lets off a few pathetic shots from the gun only to be attacked by a cloud of bats and killed. Kyle goes for help and it seems that the little boy Joey can also heal people. The adults take notice that dog jumps up without even being dizzy even though he had blood caked to his ears and once the little boy comes to see if their body guard is ok, he passes out and comes to feeling so much better then he did, even though by now he must have dame near bled to death. They're rescued, but all the events in the cave cast doubt in the mothers and body guards minds... Even after all this time of running for their lives to save a boy they know to not be the anti Christ they suddenly get so much doubt in their heads that they have to go and dig up the old dead dog to see if the look a like new dog isn't the dead one brought back from the dead! Once he digs it up he figures the Irish setter that's in the grave of the dead golden retriever is just a mistake by the pet undertaker guys and lets it go without another thought.
The books ends with the happy couple getting married and moving on, not making any mention of how they got off the hook of killing 8 people or what happened with the rest of the cult.
I'm sorry, but it lost me.
Finally once they think they have found a safe place atop a mountain in the freezing cold amongst blizzards, they still somehow find them and end up shooting their body guard they hired when the police wouldn't help them that has also fallen in love with the boys mother. He doesn't die though, and as they're running through the woods and wilderness in said blizzards the bad guys are some how always close by. They just about die and freeze to death before they make it some caves, the boys mom spends a ridiculous amount of time looking through the caves and even takes notice of the rock formations and Indian art work, all while her son, new dog and boyfriend set outside freezing to death. They finally makes camp inside a perfect enough cave. After a light snooze the crazy people find them yet again and there's a small battle in which the mom is also shot in the leg and can do nothing from almost have her kid killed.
The giant brute at the end seemingly kills their new dog as well by bashing him on the head with his gun and it looks like no matter what they will all die in this cave, but ol Kyle the ugly giant finally finds his heart and decides that he's through with killing. Once mother Grace realizes she will have too act alone she lets off a few pathetic shots from the gun only to be attacked by a cloud of bats and killed. Kyle goes for help and it seems that the little boy Joey can also heal people. The adults take notice that dog jumps up without even being dizzy even though he had blood caked to his ears and once the little boy comes to see if their body guard is ok, he passes out and comes to feeling so much better then he did, even though by now he must have dame near bled to death. They're rescued, but all the events in the cave cast doubt in the mothers and body guards minds... Even after all this time of running for their lives to save a boy they know to not be the anti Christ they suddenly get so much doubt in their heads that they have to go and dig up the old dead dog to see if the look a like new dog isn't the dead one brought back from the dead! Once he digs it up he figures the Irish setter that's in the grave of the dead golden retriever is just a mistake by the pet undertaker guys and lets it go without another thought.
The books ends with the happy couple getting married and moving on, not making any mention of how they got off the hook of killing 8 people or what happened with the rest of the cult.
I'm sorry, but it lost me.
December 20, 2017
One of Koontz's earlier works, written originally under his pseudonym Leigh Nichols.
On a normal regular day, Christine Scavello and her 6-year old son Joey are leaving a shopping mall, and are approached by a strange woman, who suddenly starts screaming at Joey, believing him to be the Antichrist. Now Christine and Joey have been targeted by a group of religious fanatics calling themselves the Servants of Twilight, being led by Grace Spivey, the same woman who approached Christine and Joey in the parking lot.
Now with no-one else to turn to, including the Police, Christine approaches Private Investigator Charlie Harrison, who takes it upon himself to protect them and becomes romantically involved with Christine.
A great storyline, and great characters, Grace Spivey in an interesting Charles Manson-type villainess, and I loved Chewbacca, Joey's Golden Retriever and companion, and their friendship!
On a normal regular day, Christine Scavello and her 6-year old son Joey are leaving a shopping mall, and are approached by a strange woman, who suddenly starts screaming at Joey, believing him to be the Antichrist. Now Christine and Joey have been targeted by a group of religious fanatics calling themselves the Servants of Twilight, being led by Grace Spivey, the same woman who approached Christine and Joey in the parking lot.
Now with no-one else to turn to, including the Police, Christine approaches Private Investigator Charlie Harrison, who takes it upon himself to protect them and becomes romantically involved with Christine.
A great storyline, and great characters, Grace Spivey in an interesting Charles Manson-type villainess, and I loved Chewbacca, Joey's Golden Retriever and companion, and their friendship!
May 1, 2020
Fast and dumb � 2.5 stars. Dean Koontz holds his reader’s hand firmly at all times, and slowly, deliberately guides them through every minor plot turn. Not only are every motivation and doubt of each character spelled out and explained in bright flashing lights, but they’re then loudly revisited and reviewed throughout.
The whole book has the feel of a TV movie, which isn’t to say it’s not enjoyable: it moves fast, relies mostly on action and lots of changes in scenery, holds your attention, and Koontz is often good at effectively building tension � like most TV movies, you know it isn’t good, and it often makes you cringe, but you’re willing to stick with it because it’s appealing to some lower common denominator you can’t deny.
When it’s over you know it won’t stay with you, but you don’t regret the time you gave it.
The whole book has the feel of a TV movie, which isn’t to say it’s not enjoyable: it moves fast, relies mostly on action and lots of changes in scenery, holds your attention, and Koontz is often good at effectively building tension � like most TV movies, you know it isn’t good, and it often makes you cringe, but you’re willing to stick with it because it’s appealing to some lower common denominator you can’t deny.
When it’s over you know it won’t stay with you, but you don’t regret the time you gave it.
March 5, 2010
There was a time when I thought Dean Koontz wrote circles around Stephen King. He wasn’t famous. He had a cult following and he made you feel like you just discovered someone cool. He was the anti-King you could keep to yourself or share with a selected few. Koontz, of course, went the way of all flesh and began cranking them out and repeating himself. Fame? Well, if ‘Family Guy� rips on you, fame has become your enemy. I haven’t read a Koontz novel since Odd Thomas became a regular character. The early books were dynamic, rip-snorting fast and most of all—interesting. This is one of his best. I am not writing a commentary, I just want this on my bookshelf.
June 27, 2009
This is the 22nd Koontz book I've read and while reading it, it dawned on me how often he includes a golden retriever. And too often the story revolves around a single/divorced/unwed mother of a young child and the guy who helps her out of whatever predicament she's in ends up falling for her and she for him and it all ends up happily ever after. My favorite Koontz novels are the ones that avoid that typical outline.
I was intrigued by the 'is this child the Anti-Christ?' mystery yet was disappointed how this story ended without delving further and playing more with that concept. It should have followed along as he gradually got older and encountered various other questionable experiences. The last 100 pages or so (when they're wandering in the blizzard trying to escape the villains) could have been whittled way down.
Even though this story was apparently written back in the '80s (and originally just titled Twilight), it was amusing that the followers of the cult were called Twilighters.
I was intrigued by the 'is this child the Anti-Christ?' mystery yet was disappointed how this story ended without delving further and playing more with that concept. It should have followed along as he gradually got older and encountered various other questionable experiences. The last 100 pages or so (when they're wandering in the blizzard trying to escape the villains) could have been whittled way down.
Even though this story was apparently written back in the '80s (and originally just titled Twilight), it was amusing that the followers of the cult were called Twilighters.
March 6, 2017
"We're all just actors in a cosmic horror film in God's private movie theater."
- The Servants of Twilight, end of Chapter 32
Everything that deceives also enchants. - Plato
This book certainly has a lot of action in it and it does start out rather intriguing, but in the end, it is far from being included among my favorite Dean Koontz stories.
The Servants of Twilight is one of five novels which Dean previously published under the female pen name, Leigh Nichols. My favorite among these fake woman works is The House of Thunder.
Favorite Passages:
For that one shining moment, it seemed as if all was right with the world. It seemed there was no such thing as death. And for the first time, Charlie had the feeling that the three of them somehow belonged together, that their destinies were linked, that they had more of a future together than just their investigator-client relationship. It was a nice, warm feeling. Too bad it couldn't last.
_______
"There are mysteries in here" - he tapped his head with one thick finger - "that we may never understand."
_______
"There Is No Justice in a Jackass Universe."
- The Servants of Twilight, end of Chapter 32
Everything that deceives also enchants. - Plato
This book certainly has a lot of action in it and it does start out rather intriguing, but in the end, it is far from being included among my favorite Dean Koontz stories.
The Servants of Twilight is one of five novels which Dean previously published under the female pen name, Leigh Nichols. My favorite among these fake woman works is The House of Thunder.
Favorite Passages:
For that one shining moment, it seemed as if all was right with the world. It seemed there was no such thing as death. And for the first time, Charlie had the feeling that the three of them somehow belonged together, that their destinies were linked, that they had more of a future together than just their investigator-client relationship. It was a nice, warm feeling. Too bad it couldn't last.
_______
"There are mysteries in here" - he tapped his head with one thick finger - "that we may never understand."
_______
"There Is No Justice in a Jackass Universe."
May 21, 2012
I'm a sucker for Dean Koontz, I admit it. He is one of the most prolific authors out there and whether he is writing a thriller, fantasy, sci-fi, or straight-up horror novel, it won't disappoint.
Servants of Twilight is one of his earlier books and was first written under a pseudonym. It's a straight up thriller and even though I have read it before (though probably 20 years ago), I couldn't put it down and it kept me busy on the bus ride to and from New York City this past weekend.
The plot is easy to sum up: single Mom Christine and her six year old son Joey become the target of a cult when the cult's leader becomes convinced Joey is the antichrist. The entire novel is essentially a cat and mouse tale, with Christine and Joey constantly on the run.
Sure, it's not perfect. Early Koontz had a tendency to tell rather than show when it comes to characterization, and the plot kind of drags on by the end. You reach a point about 2/3 of the way through when you want to scream, "just have the show-down already!" but there's no doubt it's a gripping and exciting story.
Servants of Twilight is one of his earlier books and was first written under a pseudonym. It's a straight up thriller and even though I have read it before (though probably 20 years ago), I couldn't put it down and it kept me busy on the bus ride to and from New York City this past weekend.
The plot is easy to sum up: single Mom Christine and her six year old son Joey become the target of a cult when the cult's leader becomes convinced Joey is the antichrist. The entire novel is essentially a cat and mouse tale, with Christine and Joey constantly on the run.
Sure, it's not perfect. Early Koontz had a tendency to tell rather than show when it comes to characterization, and the plot kind of drags on by the end. You reach a point about 2/3 of the way through when you want to scream, "just have the show-down already!" but there's no doubt it's a gripping and exciting story.
June 21, 2018
This is the second Koontz book I've tried (as a staunch King fan, I'm constantly receiving unsolicited Koontz recommendations), and I remain as convinced as ever that Koontz thinks his audience is incompetent, or totally unable to register nuance and ambiguity. It's pandering and over-explanatory. I gave it two stars for having a fairly interesting premise, but I finished this book only out of an angry need to see it through; I checked out at the forced, bland, completely expected romantic "complication" thrown in for absolutely no reason.
August 23, 2009
I read this a very, very long time ago. I do remember this story was very creepy!
July 15, 2017
This is the first Dean Koontz book I ever read. I've been hooked ever since. Great read!
February 1, 2024
The best ending I could have hoped for.
August 27, 2023
An action-packed culty tale with a high body count.
November 23, 2024
"How easily it could happen: one lunatic spreads her delusions to the gullible, and soon there is a hysterical mob, or in this case a cult, believing itself to be driven by the best intentions and, therefore, armored against doubt by steely self- righteousness."
That was disappointing and definitely not Koontz best work. The cult angle interested me and the story started out well enough but at least for me, it just fizzled out quickly, the only memorable character is the dog Brandy/Chewbacca and the ending is just blah.
That was disappointing and definitely not Koontz best work. The cult angle interested me and the story started out well enough but at least for me, it just fizzled out quickly, the only memorable character is the dog Brandy/Chewbacca and the ending is just blah.
October 18, 2019
Los Servidores Del Crepúsculo.- Dean R. Koontz.
*
"Las palabras no son nunca inofensivas. El demonio delude y persuade con palabras"
*
Christine y Joey, madre soltera e hijo de 6 años respectivamente, van muy felices por la vida hasta que un día, en un estacionamiento, se cruzan con Grace, una vieja con aspecto de lunática. Esta señora los empieza a increpar y les dice que el pequeño Joey es el Anticristo y tiene que morir. Grace resulta ser la cabeza de un grupo ultra religioso que se hacen llamar Los Servidores Del Crepúsculo. El acoso sigue en su domicilio, poniéndose cada vez más violenta la cuestión, y al no tener ayuda de la policía, Christine contrata un detective privado, Charlie, para que la ayude a frenar las intenciones homicidas hacia su hijo por parte de Grace y sus acólitos.
*
Este libro fue publicado por @ a mediados de los '80s bajo el seudónimo de Leigh Nichols. Es una historia que coquetea todo el tiempo con lo paranormal, pero sin entrar de lleno en ese terreno, dejando algunas cosas a imaginación del lector.
*
A mí en particular, me gustó mucho que a medida que vamos leyendo nos ponemos del lado del supuesto Anticristo siendo los malvados de la historia los religiosos.
Además es un libro que te mete de lleno en la historia ya en las primeras páginas y todo el tiempo están pasando cosas (algunas reiterativas, hay que decirlo) hasta el final. Y el final�. bueno, leanlo�
🤘🤘🤘🤘
*
"Las palabras no son nunca inofensivas. El demonio delude y persuade con palabras"
*
Christine y Joey, madre soltera e hijo de 6 años respectivamente, van muy felices por la vida hasta que un día, en un estacionamiento, se cruzan con Grace, una vieja con aspecto de lunática. Esta señora los empieza a increpar y les dice que el pequeño Joey es el Anticristo y tiene que morir. Grace resulta ser la cabeza de un grupo ultra religioso que se hacen llamar Los Servidores Del Crepúsculo. El acoso sigue en su domicilio, poniéndose cada vez más violenta la cuestión, y al no tener ayuda de la policía, Christine contrata un detective privado, Charlie, para que la ayude a frenar las intenciones homicidas hacia su hijo por parte de Grace y sus acólitos.
*
Este libro fue publicado por @ a mediados de los '80s bajo el seudónimo de Leigh Nichols. Es una historia que coquetea todo el tiempo con lo paranormal, pero sin entrar de lleno en ese terreno, dejando algunas cosas a imaginación del lector.
*
A mí en particular, me gustó mucho que a medida que vamos leyendo nos ponemos del lado del supuesto Anticristo siendo los malvados de la historia los religiosos.
Además es un libro que te mete de lleno en la historia ya en las primeras páginas y todo el tiempo están pasando cosas (algunas reiterativas, hay que decirlo) hasta el final. Y el final�. bueno, leanlo�
🤘🤘🤘🤘
July 5, 2010
This is an exciting novel, completely in the tradition of Dean Koontz who truly knows how to build one scene upon another of suspense and building questions - then to satisfyingly exhale (as it were) the resolutions and the answers, the relief to tension, one question at a time or more often all at once...
In this novel the 'mystery' is the question of who exactly is after an innocent little eight year old boy and why. The action consists of trying to protect both the boy (Joey) and his mother (Christine) in what becomes an all out hunt for little Joey. Charlie who - in his capacity as the private investigator hired by Joey'm mother Christine - gradually learns the terrifying truth of the cult's beliefs, beliefs which are the dictatorial prerogative of holy visionary Grace Spivey. It is she, the heart and soul of her church and her loyal followers, who spots Joey one day outside a supermarket and believes so thoroughly that she has seen the unmistakeable aura of the anti-christ that she orders her follows to hunt him down and show no mercy - they must kill him
I really enjoyed this novel - I believe that in the hands of the right director, it would make a wonderful film.
In this novel the 'mystery' is the question of who exactly is after an innocent little eight year old boy and why. The action consists of trying to protect both the boy (Joey) and his mother (Christine) in what becomes an all out hunt for little Joey. Charlie who - in his capacity as the private investigator hired by Joey'm mother Christine - gradually learns the terrifying truth of the cult's beliefs, beliefs which are the dictatorial prerogative of holy visionary Grace Spivey. It is she, the heart and soul of her church and her loyal followers, who spots Joey one day outside a supermarket and believes so thoroughly that she has seen the unmistakeable aura of the anti-christ that she orders her follows to hunt him down and show no mercy - they must kill him
I really enjoyed this novel - I believe that in the hands of the right director, it would make a wonderful film.
December 8, 2011
This one stole a star sliding into home at the last second leaving the ending ambiguous and a little creepy. However, most of the book is the same rhetoric spewed in the same formula with little variation to warrant anyone picking this particular Koontz book up over any of the others. The highlight of the book is the use of both sides fighting under the elk of presumably the same God. A concept not explored enough in any medium. The theme of two sides of the coin, but in the same pocket allows the reader to wonder, and second guess his way through most of the novel. Hesitantly we stick with the good guys, but we continue to wonder if we're routing for the right team.
March 10, 2010
Originally published as "Twilight" in 1984, under the pseudonym Leigh Nichols, this is a very interesting work by Koontz. A woman and her son are stalked by an old woman who has branded the boy The Antichrist - and soon they are chased by religious cult known as The Church of Twilight. The Servants of Twilight are everywhere; and all of them want to kill the boy. Will Christine and Joey manage to survive ?
TSOT is a fast paced and enjoyable novel, some even named it the best of his early works. It's a very fast paced book, with a somewhat different ending from his other books. Recommended.
TSOT is a fast paced and enjoyable novel, some even named it the best of his early works. It's a very fast paced book, with a somewhat different ending from his other books. Recommended.
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